Ameristar Casino Resort, when you’re not gambling

We all know the number one reason to visit Black Hawk, Colorado is to gamble, but did you know that Ameristar Casino Resort offers several additional experiences?

When the Ameristar Casino Resort was first built I thought, “Now this place really looks like Vegas.” It’s not brand new anymore, but still retains that modern look of new Vegas. From the faux sky ceiling to the large, modern guest rooms, Ameristar is the top-notch hotel in Black Hawk.

This past week I finally got to experience a stay at this resort casino and it didn’t disappoint.

The Ara Spa at Ameristar Black Hawk

In the past year or so I’ve had the great pleasure of being pampered at some really fantastic Colorado spas and Ameristar’s Ara Spa rivals the best of them. It has a contemporary Colorado ambiance, and the interior design incorporates a calming combination of wood, stone and water.

The spa features a peaceful hot tub room, with adjoining steam rooms, where guests can relax before or after their treatment. There are separate hot tub rooms for men and women and a co-ed relaxation room where guests wait for their spa professional. This room includes a beautifully designed fireplace and comfy chairs with privacy curtains.

The Ara Spa offers everything from facials to manicures to eye and lip rejuvenation. I was there for an aroma fusion massage. This massage incorporates essential oils to enhance overall mental and physical well-being. My therapist was Eileen and she was one of the most intuitive massage therapists I’ve ever had. I will absolutely request her services should I find myself back at Spa Ara.

I think this spa would be the perfect place for a girls getaway. The Ameristar has a variety of awesome specials that include spa services. Check them out here.

A steak dinner at Ameristar Black Hawk

I’ve been to several casino steakhouses in the past that weren’t very impressive. Timberline Grill, however, was the exception. Not only was the food outstanding, but we felt a million miles away from the noisy casino floor. It was a true, high end steakhouse experience.

We started with the diver sea scallops and poached pear appetizer and moved on to steak dinners. I went with a wagyu flat iron steak with hand cut fries and chimichurri. Ryan ordered the filet mignon with creamy horseradish. Both steaks were perfection and the staff was impeccable.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or are just craving a great steak, Timberline Grill is the place to go in Black Hawk. They are closed Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan accordingly. See the menu here.

The Rooftop Pool at Ameristar Black Hawk

If you’ve heard about the Ameristar, you’ll likely have heard about their amazing, rooftop pool. One does not find many rooftop pools in Colorado, and this could be the only one in the state. There’s also two hot tubs on the roof; one inside and one outside.

The pool is enclosed by glass, so that the panoramic views are available to guests year-round. There’s a moveable wall on one side that can be opened during the warmer months. This pool is fantastic for everyone from age 10 to 110.

My last thought on the Ameristar is that it smells really good (and not just on the spa floor level). I don’t know how they make the entire building smell so wonderful, but they should definitely keep it up.

And yes, we gambled a bit at Ameristar. We won a lot on this game & then lost it all, but it was super fun while it lasted!